What Auburn Fans Should Make of Joshua Casher's Recent Visit to Alabama

Joshua Casher, a 4-star center recruit and Auburn commitment, was at Alabama recently, and the quotes coming out of that visit won't be all that encouraging for Tigers fans.

Casher is the No. 1 center in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and he's been committed to Auburn since March of 2013. He's a huge commitment for Gus Malzahn and Co., and he's a recruit that Auburn needs to retain.

This past weekend Casher attended the O-line/D-line camp at Alabama. He didn't participate because of an injury, but according to Andrew Bone of TideSports.com, he chatted with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban.

Casher remains a top target for the University of Alabama, and he spoke in-depth with Nick Saban on Saturday.

"Alabama is definitely coming after me pretty strong," he said. "I can definitely tell you that. It's kind of crazy. I talked to Coach Saban and Coach Cristobal. I talked to them pretty heavy. Coach Cristobal is a nut. He is crazy, in a good way. He is fun to be around.''

Bone goes on to report that Casher wants to "enjoy the recruiting process," which is four words no program ever wants to hear from a commit.

The nation's top-ranked center is committed to Auburn University, but he wants to enjoy the recruiting process.

"You know it's pretty tough," Casher said. "I am not going to say it isn't tough, especially being committed. I do plan on taking my official visit to Alabama later on. Alabama is the one school still coming after me very strong. I really haven't talked to Florida much since I committed.

"I will say my commitment to Auburn is still good right now. I am just exploring my options. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy the recruiting process. I will say that Auburn is an amazing place. I really like it there."

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On one hand, Casher admits that his commitment to Auburn is just fine. On the other hand, it would seem as if he does have a substantial interest in Alabama.

What must concern Auburn the most is that Casher does want to take an official visit to Alabama. Saban is the best recruiter in college football, and even the most ardent Auburn fan should be able to see the draw the Crimson Tide program has with an elite recruit.

Alabama is a championship-caliber program, and that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.

When it comes to Auburn, well, it's going to take time.

The good news is, Malzahn appears to be the right guy for the job. But, as good as he's been on the recruiting trail, even he will have a hard time recruiting against Saban.

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Gus Malzahn

A top positional recruit going to the top team is a story that has played out in Alabama's favor before. If Auburn doesn't put on the full-court press to keep Casher committed, it could happen again.

It is worth noting that Alabama just received a commitment (Jared Shanker/ESPN.com) from 3-star center JCHassenauer. However, with a talented recruit like Casher, competition is usually not a deterrent.

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As of right now, Casher is committed and the ball is still in Malzahn's court.

It's not yet time to worry if you're an Auburn fan.

Judging from his quotes, though, it would seem as if Casher is a recruit that Saban could sway. If anything, it's clear that Casher is a player who Alabama has high on its target list.

It's not time to worry about his commitment just yet, but there should be a level of concern about the recruit's thought process and his willingness to keep an open mind, especially about Alabama.